Jeanna, Day 6

by John McNichol on January 6, 2014

Jeanna day 6:

Hey, all!
More improvements in Jeanna!
She was able to write words & her name in cursive today with her left hand, and when we cheered her, she wrote ‘YES!’ in big letters with exclamation points!
She couldn’t do everything perfect that the therapist asked, but when our 3 year old daughter Claire said “this is SO boring!” re. the room they were in, Jeanna said the same sentence, all 4 words , while shrugging her shoulders and making funny faces.
She’s also FRUSTRATED that she can’t get the words out that she wants, to the point of growling and shaking her fist.
The doctors assure me this is GREAT, because it means a) since she KNOWS she isn’t making sense, her brain’s processing center is working properly, and b) frustration = motivation, and motivation=recovery, eventually!

Monday, four or five neurologists will pour over her charts, scans and all the rest, and try to figure out a) How this stroke happened, and b) any treatment necessary. St. Luke, St. Gianna and Sts. Cosmas & Damien, patron Saints of Doctors, please be with them, pray for them, and guide them!

I brought her communion today, and hope that she’ll be able to receive it daily during her stay in the hospital and rehab when she transfers there this week. After Mass today, the kids & her mom & I all stood around her today while we said the Divine Mercy Chaplet of St. Faustina.

Keep moving forward, 2 steps up, the occasional step back. Little one’s lunches made, clothes laid out for tomorrow, big ones assigned to help little ones when I leave for work in the AM, wonderful living Saints driving my little ones to school and taking them home, and going back to work tomorrow. Everyone keeps saying ‘take care of yourself, John!”, so tonight I did. My wonderful in-laws watched my kids, while I got a couple of hours of Barnes & Noble time. :)

Hoping all goes well. So thankful for Jeanna’s progress, my kids & their help & good attitudes, my folks on both sides.

Oh, and I sent my 1st text this week! J I also took my 1st picture with my phone-a pic of Doctor who, with Tom Baker in the center, and all the other, bow-tie clad guys in the background…

In disturbing news: My daughters are watching the premier of Downton Abbey. And I have to work hard not to get sucked into it (shakes head, focuses).:)

At Mass yesterday when requests were made for the sick Barb and I heard Jeanna’s name. We prayed for her not knowing what had happened.

Today I was able to log on here and look at Facebook and was really taken aback. I’m so sorry to hear this news. Barb and I think the world of your family and Jeanna is just such a great lady.

It sounds like you have lots of help and I’m glad for that but please keep Barb and I in mind in case you need any additional assistance. We’d be more than happy to jump in and assist with whatever you might need. Shoot me an email when you get the chance at Lxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx and I’ll send back Barb’s cell phone number so you can reach us if you need anything at all.

I just spoke to Barbara and she asked that you disregard the voicemail she left on your home phone. She left it before she knew what had happened and knows your hands are full. If you need it, she did leave her cell phone number on the recording.

Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you and are in our prayers. You are so lucky to have such a great support system around you. We (SJA8th grade) will keep bringing the snacks and an occasional bottle or wine (not to be packed in lunches).
Inge, Michael, Eliza and Laurel

Thank you, so much! I have become so thankful so many times over for the SJA community, the OLL community, the Vancouver Catholic community at St James, St Joseph’s and Holy Redeemer, Seton High, everyone who’s been so good to us.